Preparation for Adulthood Instructor

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Job Title: Preparation for Adulthood Instructor

Location: Strawberry Lane School - Durham, DH6 5BE

Salary: Up to £27,000 per annum dependent on experience ( not pro rata )

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Fixed-Term ending Jul 2026, Term Time Only

Start: October 2026

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Strawberry Lane School from day one and help shape a supportive, inclusive culture for pupils and staff alike. We are looking for passionate, committed individuals eager to contribute to a meaningful learning community and support young people with complex Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and additional needs.

About the Role

As a PfA Instructor, you will deliver Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) sessions with a focus on Food Technology and Community Independence, while also covering timetabled curriculum classes and staff absences as required. You will prepare and deliver high-quality sessions, support students with challenging behaviour, and ensure pupils remain focused and achieve session objectives.

You will also provide additional classroom support when not delivering PfA sessions, assist pupils struggling with lesson content, and undertake other duties as delegated by SLT.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering engaging and practical Food Technology and Community Independence sessions across Key Stages 3 & 4.
• Covering wider curriculum classes and supporting students across the school.
• Preparing classrooms and learning materials to facilitate effective teaching.
• Supporting literacy, numeracy, and other intervention programmes where required.
• Promoting independent learning, positive behaviour, and pupils' personal and social development.
• Fostering strong relationships with pupils, staff, and parents to support learning and wellbeing.
• Contributing to school improvement, ethos, and policy implementation.

Requirements:

• Experience working with young people with Complex ASC.
• Experience delivering Food Technology is desirable.
• QTS desirable but not essential.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour in a calm, consistent, and supportive way.
• Strong organisational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

About us

Strawberry Lane School, located in Bowburn, Durham, is a brand-new specialist school accommodating 60 pupils aged 11-19 with a primary need of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), communication and language needs, and often additional complex needs.

The school is dedicated to empowering every learner and embracing every strength, providing a nurturing and inclusive educational environment where autistic young people can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.